When members of the small seacost community first petitioned for a town charter, one of their key desires was for a school.  Education in the town started even before a school was built, when a teacher was hired to teach at private homes.   Seventeen years after the town acquired a charter, two school  houses were erected.  The new houses were built with minimal luxuries and amenities for 20 pounds each or the equivalent of $100.  Seating within the school was comprised of benches without backs or writing tables. There was not even a record of a chalk board in the building.  They did have one writing table where students learned to write with a goose quill pen.  All of the supplies and furnishings totaled 1.1 pounds or about 10 dollars.  Twenty-eight years later two more schools were built dividing the town into four districts each within walking distance for every Stratham resident.
    The first teacher ever mentioned in town records was Samuel Goodhue. He taught different parts of the year in the four different schools in Stratham.  Probably the most memorable teacher was Lawrence Dowling, teaching from 1756 to 1785.  He was highly looked  upon according to early town records.  It is an interesting fact that he was allowed to teach as he was a Catholic and they could not vote until the late 1800's.  Other notable teachers are Phaineas Nerrill who was an author, John Scamman who was a Judge in the Court of Commons and Daniel Clark who became a U.S. Senator.  Not  until 1773  were funds voted in to pay for more than one teacher within the town.

Stratham School Rules
April 7, 1806
Taken From History of Stratham New Hampshire by Charles M. Nelson

1st Every scholar must attend at school hour with clean face & hands, the     hair combed & in proper order, nails suitably cut and clean; and if with bare feet those as clean as circumstances will admit.

2nd On entering the school each one is to make obeisance by bow or curtsey to the teacher, then deposit the hat bonnet & loose cloths in proper place & take the appropriate seat.

3rd No whispering is to be used on any pretense.

4th No one can change their seat but by direction of the teacher.

5th No one is allowed to meddle with the property of another in any instance.

6th On entering and leaving the school a slow orderly walk is to be observed and Obeisance to the teacher while at the door.

7th All quarreling & profane or indecent language or conduct will be punished.

8th The intermission of the schools no diversions or conduct that will soiled or injure the body or cloths of the scholars are allowed but innocent, clean diversions will be permitted.

9th Honorable mentions will be made of those who conduct with propriety their names are to enter the Book of Commendations as a memorial of esteem.

10th The names of those who shall for three times be guilty of breaking any to the forgoing rules will be entered into the Black List or Book of disgrace & if they persist in disobedience they shall be reported to their parents, guardians, school committee and selectmen to denote shame and disgrace.

The first Stratham Memorial School was attended by all the elementary level students starting with it's dedication on October 25, 1951 until1990 when a new building was built.  The original Stratham Memorial School now houses most of the town offices, the library and police station. It is known as the Municipal Center.

Stratham Municipal Center

In present day the Stratham Memorial School educates grades Preschool through 5th grade, while the Cooperative Middle School contains grades 6-8.  For high school Stratham students attend the Exeter High School, in the next town.

Cooperative Middle School

Stratham Memorial School